UV Ozone Disinfection Isolation for Safe Surface Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for disinfecting surfaces and sterilizing air using ozone are not safe, economical, or convenient, and they struggle to produce high ozone concentrations efficiently, posing health risks and being costly due to energy inefficiency and hazardous handling.
Innovation Solution
A method involving three steps: isolation of the area, remote initiation and monitoring of ozone generation, and automatic termination and evacuation to prevent exposure, using UV light sources to generate ozone while ensuring safety through underpressure and alarms to minimize health risks and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ozone is generated using corona discharge to achieve sufficient disinfection concentration, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but production cost and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical corona discharge system with a UV-based ozone generation system. UV lamps irradiate oxygen-containing gas to produce ozone through photolytic decomposition and recombination, eliminating the need for high-voltage electrical discharge while achieving the same disinfection effect with lower energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of ozone generation from electrical field intensity (corona discharge) to UV radiation wavelength and intensity. By selecting specific UV wavelengths (200-280nm) that match the absorption spectrum of oxygen, the system achieves efficient ozone production without the high energy costs of corona discharge.
2Reliability
If high concentration of ozone is produced for effective surface disinfection, then disinfection capability is improved, but safety hazards to humans increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the treatment space into isolated zones where ozone is generated and contained. By segmenting the environment into treated areas (isolation chambers, ventilation ducts) and safe areas, high concentrations of ozone can be maintained where needed without exposing occupants to harmful levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ventilation systems and air flow control as intermediaries between the ozone generation source and occupied spaces. These intermediaries dilute and transport ozone selectively, ensuring effective disinfection in target areas while maintaining safe concentrations in occupied areas through controlled air exchange.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If existing UV-based ozone generation methods are used, then safety is improved, but the ability to produce high ozone concentrations for complete sterilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple UV lamps with different wavelength characteristics and optimizes their arrangement within the isolation chamber. By merging the output of multiple UV sources and coordinating their operation, the system achieves both safe operation and high ozone concentration production simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary isolation of the treatment space before ozone generation begins. By预先 establishing the sealed environment and verifying safety systems, the system can then proceed to generate high ozone concentrations without safety concerns, achieving complete sterilization while maintaining safety.
4Ease of operation
If conventional cleaning methods with chemicals are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but disinfection effectiveness and safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated control systems that manage the entire ozone generation and ventilation process without requiring manual intervention. The system automatically monitors ozone concentrations, controls UV lamp operation, and manages air flow, making the effective but complex ozone disinfection process as easy to operate as conventional methods while achieving superior disinfection results.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method provides a safe, economical, and effective disinfection process by containing ozone within isolated areas, reducing health risks, and optimizing energy use, ensuring complete disinfection with minimal exposure and efficient ozone production.
Implementation Method 1
at wavelengths of 100 nm to 240 nm, UV radiation is known to produce ozone from oxygen (O2) for example contained in air. O2 + photon → 2O; O + O2 → O3
Implementation Method 2
Ozone has long been recognized as a useful gas/chemical commodity valued particularly for its outstanding oxidative activity. Because of this activity it finds wide application in disinfection processes. It kills bacteria/vira/mould more rapidly than chlorine, it decomposes organic molecules, and removes coloration in aqueous systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Method of disinfecting one or more surfaces and/or sterilizing air, and an apparatus for use in the method The present invention relates to a method of disinfecting one or more surfaces and an apparatus for use in the method. The method comprises a securing step arranged for creating an isolation comprising the surfaces to be disinfected, a disinfection step comprising emitting UV radiation for the generation of ozone and/or for the sterilization of air from one or more ultra violet (UV) light sources, and adding the generated ozone to said isolation, and a termination step arranged for terminating the generation of ozone and terminating the securing step.